Recent Houston hurricane history (and what it taught homeowners)
The Houston metro has taken direct or near-direct hits from four major hurricanes in the last 20 years, and each one drove home the same lesson: most people do not understand their own wind coverage until they need to file a claim.
| Storm | Year | Wind impact on Houston metro |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Rita | 2005 | Evacuation chaos, mostly spared direct hit |
| Hurricane Ike | 2008 | Cat 2 at landfall, 110 mph gusts inland, 2.6M outages |
| Hurricane Harvey | 2017 | Cat 4 rainfall event, wind secondary but still widespread roof damage |
| Hurricane Beryl | 2024 | Cat 1 at landfall, 80-90 mph gusts across Katy/Houston, ~2.7M outages, widespread shingle loss |
Beryl is the most recent reference point and the one most Katy homeowners remember. It came ashore near Matagorda on July 8, 2024, tracked right through the Houston metro, and caused the largest power outage event in CenterPoint's history. Roof damage from Beryl was not dramatic by Cat-4 standards, but because the storm hit aging roofs with loose shingles and tired seals, claims were massive. Jerry's Roofing inspected hundreds of homes in Katy, Cypress, and Sugar Land in the months after Beryl and the pattern was consistent: wind creased shingles, lifted ridge caps, damaged flashings, and occasional full-slope blowoffs on older roofs.
What counts as hurricane wind damage
Wind damage is not just missing shingles. The IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety) categorizes hurricane roof damage into several distinct types, each of which is covered differently and each of which a trained roofer will document separately on a claim.
- Blown-off shingles. Obvious and visible. The most commonly claimed type.
- Wind creasing. Shingles lifted hard enough to break the seal and crease horizontally across the face, then landed back down. Looks fine from the street but the seal is gone and the shingle will fail in the next storm.
- Ridge cap damage. The peak shingles take the worst wind exposure and are often the first to lift.
- Flashing damage. Bent or peeled flashings at chimneys, skylights, and walls.
- Debris impact. Branches, tree limbs, or wind-driven debris puncturing the deck or breaking shingles.
- Fence, fascia, and gutter damage. Often included in the same claim if storm-caused.
- Window and door damage. Wind-driven water intrusion follows if envelope fails.
Wind creasing is the most commonly missed form of damage. From the ground, a creased roof looks normal. An inspector who knows what to look for will find the horizontal line across the shingle face and document it as functional damage, which is claimable even though the shingle is still in place.
How hurricane coverage actually works in Texas
Standard homeowners policy
Your base Texas homeowners policy (HO-3 or HO-B) covers wind damage in most inland counties, including Harris, Fort Bend, and most of Waller. The exception is coastal Texas, where wind damage is often excluded and has to be covered separately through TWIA.
Katy and most of Cypress sit in Harris and Fort Bend counties and are inland enough that wind is typically covered by standard policies. Homeowners in Brazoria or Galveston counties and the immediate coast may need separate TWIA policies.
Hurricane deductible (the part most people miss)
Here is the part that catches people. Texas homeowners policies typically have two deductibles: a regular one (a flat dollar amount like $1,500) for most claims, and a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible that is a percentage of dwelling coverage.
| Dwelling coverage | 1% hurricane deductible | 2% deductible | 5% deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 | $30,000 |
If Beryl took $15,000 of shingles off your $400,000 Katy home and you had a 2% hurricane deductible, you paid $8,000 out of pocket before insurance paid anything. That is legal, disclosed, and standard, but it surprises a lot of people the first time they file.
Your hurricane deductible only triggers when the governor declares a hurricane or the NHC names a storm, depending on policy wording. Tropical storms sometimes trigger it, sometimes not, and this is one of the most common disputed points with adjusters.
TWIA (Texas Windstorm Insurance Association)
TWIA is the insurer of last resort for wind in Texas coastal counties. If you live in one of the 14 first-tier coastal counties (Galveston, Brazoria, Matagorda, Jefferson, etc.) and cannot get wind coverage from a private carrier, TWIA will write it. Most Katy homeowners do not need TWIA because they are inland, but Houston-area coastal homeowners do. Policies, rules, and deductibles are published at tdi.texas.gov and twia.org.
What hurricane insurance does NOT cover
Even with full coverage and a windstorm endorsement, these are not covered and no amount of arguing with the adjuster will change it.
- Flood damage. Flood is a completely separate policy through the NFIP or a private flood insurer. Harvey taught this lesson brutally.
- Pre-existing wear and tear. If your roof was already failing before the storm, the adjuster will deny that portion.
- Neglect or lack of maintenance. If a leak was ongoing and you did not fix it, related damage may be excluded.
- Mold after a delayed claim. File within the window. Mold that grows because you did not report is often excluded.
- Cosmetic-only damage, sometimes. Some newer Texas policies exclude cosmetic-only roof damage, which matters for hail more than wind.
- Uncovered outbuildings. Check dwelling versus other structures coverage for detached garages and sheds.
What to do before a hurricane
- Pull out your policy and find your hurricane deductible percentage and dollar amount. Know it.
- Take time-stamped photos of your entire roof, all four sides of your house, interior rooms, and any valuables. These are your "before" photos for a future claim.
- Trim branches that overhang the roof. Remove outdoor furniture and anything that can become a projectile.
- Clean gutters and downspouts so heavy rain drains instead of backing up.
- Know your carrier's claim phone number and have it saved in your phone.
What to do during and immediately after
- Shelter in an interior room and stay inside until the all-clear.
- Once safe, document damage immediately with photos and video. Widescreen video walking through every room and around the exterior is gold for a claim.
- Make reasonable temporary repairs (tarp a hole, cover broken windows) to prevent further damage. Keep receipts. Insurance covers temporary mitigation.
- Do not throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them.
- File your claim as soon as possible. Carriers prioritize early filers during mass-claim events.
- Get a free inspection from a reputable local roofer for a second opinion on damage scope. Jerry's Roofing did hundreds of these after Beryl at no charge.
Why hiring local matters after a hurricane
Storm chasers from out of state descend on Houston after every hurricane. They go door to door, offer to "handle your claim," sometimes disappear with the deposit, and sometimes do the work badly then leave town before the warranty matters. TDI puts out consumer alerts about this after every major storm.
Local matters because: (1) the contractor is still here if something fails, (2) they know Katy building codes and HOA rules, (3) they have existing relationships with local adjusters, and (4) their workmanship warranty is enforceable. Jerry's Roofing has been in the Katy area since 2024, owner Jerry Pilley is local, and we are not going anywhere.
Our insurance claim process
Jerry's Roofing does not file your claim for you (your carrier requires you to do that), but we do everything else. We inspect the roof, document damage with photos, write a scope-of-work report, meet with your adjuster on-site, and advocate for full repairs where damage warrants it. We handle claims for storm and wind damage across Katy, Cypress, Cinco Ranch, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land, and Brookshire.
FAQ
How long do I have to file a hurricane claim in Texas?
Texas law requires you to notify your insurer "as soon as reasonably practical," with most policies specifying a hard deadline of one year from the storm. Do not wait. File within days, not months.
Is my deductible really separate for hurricanes?
Yes, on almost every Texas policy. It is listed on your declarations page as "hurricane deductible" or "named storm deductible" and is almost always a percentage of dwelling coverage, not a flat amount.
What is the difference between wind damage and hurricane damage for insurance?
Wind damage from a regular thunderstorm triggers your regular deductible. Wind damage from a named hurricane or governor-declared hurricane triggers your hurricane deductible. The distinction matters and adjusters look closely at when the damage occurred.
Can I use my own roofer or do I have to use my insurance company's contractor?
You can use any licensed, insured roofer in Texas. Insurance companies may recommend contractors but they cannot require you to use one. Choose a local, reputable roofer with a track record.
What if my claim is denied or underpaid?
You can request reinspection, hire a public adjuster, or file a complaint with TDI at tdi.texas.gov. A reputable roofer like Jerry's Roofing will also push back with the adjuster on underpaid scopes, which happens routinely on post-hurricane claims.
Storm hit your roof? Jerry's Roofing does free post-storm inspections across the Houston metro. We document damage with photos, write a clear scope, and meet with your adjuster. Call (409) 351-1529 or request an inspection online. Our storm damage page has more on what we do.